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Ireland's political and cultural magazine
— June - July 2010
William Campbell
Primer, not Bible
Here’s How by William Campbell,
Brandon Books
review
William Campbell tackles
hundreds of different problems - some of them
niggling, others monumental. Cumulatively,
the book is a substantial work and must
have taken months of research and writing.
Campbell is an entrepreneur who claims no
particular expertise in any of the many policy
areas he covers but overall the book suggests
that the author has an intelligent, sophisti-
cated and innovative mind. One of the other
strengths of this book is that instead of wal-
lowing in analysis about what went wrong
and who is to blame, it focuses on solutions.
Unlike much of the recent Irish economic ‘mis-
ery lit’ this book displays an almost complete
absence of cynicism.
The book’s central weakness, however, is
that the analysis of so many of the problems
addressed is too shallow. At times, Campbell
descends to mere right-of-centre polemic. As
a consequence, the quality of the solutions
offered varies greatly. This is inevitable given
the range of issues covered but it does makes
the book a frustrating read.
The wisdom of some of Campbell’s solu-
tions is self-evident. He suggests for example
that ATM receipts should only be available
if account holders are prepared to pay extra
for them.
In other policy areas, Campbell merely
rehashes well-worn proposals, which have
already been rejected by Irish policy-makers
because more comprehensive examination
has shown them to be impracticable. Campbell
takes a page to explain why he believes Child
Benefit should be taxed. Tomes have already
been written, however, by those more expert
than Campbell showing how this is just not
possible in our system. Campbell also repeats
the calls for a separate traffic corp but this
is against the trend in best policing practice.
All international evidence suggests desig-
nated traffic-policing is less effective. Here
in Ireland, we have managed dramatically to
reduce road deaths by sharpening the Garda
focus on road offences rather than wasting
money and energy diverting a cohort of the
force to deal exclusively with road policing.
Many of Campbell’s proposals are too
vague. He calls for a cull of quangos but won’t
specify which. Some of his other solutions are
just too convoluted. He proposes that before
being issued with an ATM card we should all
be compelled to tell our banks whether or not
we are prepared to donate our organs and the
bank would then put an appropriate symbol
on the card. The need for organ donations
could be more easily addressed by a national
opt-out register provided for by legislation
along the lines already in place in several
other countries.
Many aspects of Campbell’s proposals
for electoral reform and for tackling crime
frighten me but it would take me pages of this
magazine to deal with them adequately.
Here’s How is not “a functional map for
getting us out of our current mess” as one of
the economists quoted in the promotional
material suggests. This is more a bathroom
book than scholarly work. However, as an out-
line of one man’s interesting ideas it is well
worth reading. It will make a good primer
for bar-stool or dinner-party conversation:
it may even inspire some policy makers to
think outside the box. A reader coming to this
book with appropriate expectations will not
be disappointed.
Noel Whelan is a barrister and author of a number of books
on politics, elections and electoral law. www.hereshow.ie
“Instead of
wallowing in
analysis about
what went wrong
and who is to
blame it focuses
on solutions”
So the current
crowd are useless…
…what might work instead?
, having lost confidence in the system, readily subscribes to initiatives like
the Ideas Campaign in , more recently the Farmleigh think-in, and, latest of all,
Your Country, Your Call. Even the row over Thierry Henri’s handball and outpouring over
Gerry Ryan’s death suggest there is pent-up passion in our economically-broken, politically
barren little country. The existing political offerings do not seem up to the task. Support
for our unloved principal coalition party has declined from % to % since the general
election. We look at some alternatives – the good, the bad, the ugly, but, most characteristically,
ineffective. On these groups – unfortunately – depend our hopes for radical change.
- - -
party, led by energetic businessman
Declan Ganley, with Europe-wide ambitions
and confused non-ideological ethos. Its mis-
sion was “...to initiate and provoke enlight-
ened discussion on the European Union”.
In early Libertas applied to be rec-
ognised by the European Parliament as a
political party at European level. The appli-
cation was briefly successful but then sus-
pended indefinitely amidst controversy.
Ganley then travelled around Europe to set
up Libertas lists and parties for the European
Parliament election, . It established
offices in Brussels and European Union mem-
ber states and held a pan-European party
convention in Rome in time for the European
Parliament elections, when it would field
hundreds of candidates for election. It won
one seat in the European Parliament elec-
tion. Village had a run in with Mr Ganley who
initiated but withdrew proceedings against
it after it published the view of Minister Dick
Roche that he was a liar and snakeoilsalesman.
Will it be around in five years No
Likes to march No
Kevin Myers or Vincent
Browne? A Little of each
Will it take over? Missed its chance
Electoral chances collapsed
Tips: dodginess will out
The Alternatives
, McDowell,
and former leader of the European
Parliament, Pat Cox, have been the subject of
speculation in the Phoenix and the Sunday
Tribune linking them to the creation of a
new political party. McDowell denied it to
Village: “no I’m not into any of that”.
Will it be around in five
years? Yes but will be tired
Likes to march? Maybe years
ago (in FCA uniform)
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? KM
Will it take over? Did
Electoral chances? Negligible
Tips: Think harder about regulation
— June - July 2010
ago an incipient political
party led by barrister and anti-corruption
campaigner Colm MacEochaidh aimed to
campaign primarily on an anti-sleaze ticket,
but had also developed policies on the envi-
ronment, transport, health, education and
other issues. Its intention to contest seats
in the general election generated a cover story
in the Irish Times.
Fintan O’Toole, writing in the Irish Times,
urged the barrister to think big and to fight a
national campaign, on the grounds that pub-
lic disillusion with the present political order
extended far beyond the chattering classes
in Dublin.
Will it be around in five years? The party
did not get off the ground
Likes to march? No
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? VB/
Enda Kenny
Will it take over? Needs to regroup
Electoral chances: Slim: see above
Tips: Had, good ideas but needed to organ-
ize. Mac Eochaidh has political talent but
finished up as a FG activist.
was a political party
founded in . Its leader was Seán MacBride.
It won .% of the general election and
seats; and joined the first inter-party government
with Fine Gael, Clann na Talmhan and the Labour
Party. There was internal dissension, however,
between MacBride and one of his ministers, Dr Noel
Browne, Minister for Health, over the ‘Mother and
Child Scheme’. Browne’s scheme brought him into
conflict with the Catholic hierarchy and MacBride
would not support him. After Browne’s resignation
and the resulting fallout, the party never recov-
ered its position, losing seats in - though
it fought elections until .
Clann Na Poblachta were a sort of mid-
Century PDs. They won seats in the
election but in the general elec-
tion, they lost of their seats. In , the
PD’s won seats and were the rd larg-
est party. In , they slumped to six.
In what might constitute a model for a
small new political party, in Clann Na
Poblachta went into power with Fine Gael, Labour,
National Labour, , Clann na Talmhan and some
Independents in an effort to keep Fianna Fail out.
The leader of Fine Gael in the Election
was General Richard Mulcahy who was unac-
ceptable to elements of Clann na Poblachta as
Taoiseach. Fine Gael’s John A Costello was elected
Taoiseach. This was the only time that a major
party leader (FF or FG) did not become Taoiseach
after his party won a general election. Anyone for
Richard Bruton?
Will it be around in five years? Nor for the last
fifty
Likes to march? No
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? KM
Will it take over? Did a little bit
Electoral chances: did ok
Tips: The church was more vulnerable than you
thought
Profit Alliance was formally
established in October by workers from a
variety of local campaigns. The organisation has
five councillors with seats on Dublin local authori-
ties and has fielded candidates in the general elec-
tion, by-elections and a number of local elections.
Its members are involved in campaigns ranging
from Shell to Sea to ‘No to Service Charges’.Its aim
is to reverse neo-liberal policies which place wealth
creation for the few over the welfare of communi-
ties in Ireland.
In addition to its aim of deepening the links
between community groups, the Alliance also
wishes to explore the potential for electoral poli-
tics but it is not interested in electing people who
will join coalition governments with the dominant
right-wing parties because they have all signed up
to the ‘business success is paramount’ ethic.
The alliance opposes neo-liberal policies, includ-
ing: - the sell-off of Ireland’s natural resources; - the
privatisation and run down of public amenities; -
the destruction of the environment and our heritage
through a flawed planning process; - the prioriti-
sation of corporate profit above the environment;
- poor public health and labour conditions and
standards; - widespread corruption; - the erosion
of civil liberties; - tax cuts for the rich and corpo-
rations while bin charges and stealth taxes rise for
the majority; - the erosion of neutrality through the
growing presence of US troops in Shannon (they
support the American people against George Bush
and therefore oppose the use of Irish airports and
airspace by the US military); - the mistreatment
of immigrants. Its Alternative Economic Agenda
Document, sets a programme of nationalisation,
reversal of cuts, environmentalism, increased capi-
tal taxes, an expanded public sector and increased
regulation.
The Alliance includes a number of different
organisations including the Socialist Workers Party
and the Community & Workers Action Group.
Will it be around in five years? Probably
Likes to march? Does a bear …?
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? VB on
steroids
Will it take over? Really, really wants to
Electoral chances: good
Tips: colonise more centre ground, though not
allying with right-wing parties seems to be work-
ing for them
The Alternatives
- , David Barrett (), from
Crumlin, has been disporting the new BNP style
party in the media and hopes to officially launch
the group later this year, though last year mem-
bers debated changing the name so as not to
sound like the British National Party.
The Sunday World reports that Barrett
claims he already has potential members
who will take to the streets to oppose “mass
immigration”.Describing himself as a “totalitar-
ian”, skinheaded Barrett sees himself as a poten-
tial leader for Ireland’s growing population of
frustrated young unemployed men.
In private internet postings Barrett revealed
his obsession with Adolf Hitler as well as his
hatred of Jewish people.
In one sick rant he declared “the dirty Jew
that lives next door to the parents was in her
garden today with a hose washing the patio,
there’s a f*cking water shortage! And people
wonder what Herr Hitler had an issue with”.
Will it be around in five years? Probably
Likes to march? Not yet
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? KM
Will it take over? No
Electoral chances: very limited
Tips: Remember Berlin
-
to combating Ireland’s high level of economic
inequality and ensuring that public policy has
equality at its core. Economic inequality is not
confined to income inequality, but exists across
many areas of the economy - for example, asset
ownership, wealth, taxation, health, housing
and education. Thus, fighting economic ine-
quality is about ensuring that economic inter-
ests are rendered subordinate to the common
good in areas such as education, health and wel-
fare. It is also about redistributing risk, wealth
and power. This, in turn, requires increased
accountability and transparency at all levels.
The primary focus of TASC’s current work is
to identify solutions to the present economic cri-
sis aimed at achieving recovery with equality by:
Identifying and analysing existing »
policies and practices which
contribute to inequality
Researching and developing efficient »
alternatives which promote equality.
Transparency »
Working to create a new economic model »
which marries economic wellbeing
with ecological sustainability.
Broadening public awareness »
of the case for equality.
TASC’s policy team conducts in-house research
and analysis. It often works with academics. It
has a broad-based, though often left-leaning
advisory council. “TASC challenges the exist-
ing consensus and offers new thinking and fresh
ideas” – according to Fintan O’Toole.
Will it be around in five years? Ye s
Likes to march Absolutely not
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? VB
Will it take over? No
Electoral chances: None
Tips: should make itself more accessible
in April , on the
th anniversary of the Rising, as a dis-
senting voice against the status-quo repub-
licanism of Sinn Féin. Éirígí protestors have
been particularly noticeable at the Shell to
Sea protests in Co Mayo. Staff at the Israeli
embassy in Dublin have become very familiar
with its protests.
Other activities have included distributing
leaflets calling for a boycott of Israeli goods at
shops in Belfast, organising a protest at an RIR
(local British army unit) homecoming parade
for soldiers returning from Afghanistan and
picketing Stormont when former British prime
minister Tony Blair visited, to oppose British
foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Six of
its members occupied the Anglo Irish Bank
building some weeks ago and chained them-
selves together for several hours. Eirígí has
called for mass protests and a wide-scale cam-
paign of civil disobedience. It described the
recent rallies in Greece as ‘‘an inspiration’’.
The group is thought to have around
activists in the North and a few hundred in
the south, with the highest concentration in
working-class areas of Dublin.
Militant republican Dominic Óg
McGlinchey was formerly a member of Éirígí,
and two men charged with the killing of two
British soldiers at Massereene army barracks
in Co Antrim last March had been members,
but they left Éirígí beforehand.
Joanna McDonald (Mary Lou McDonald’s
sister) and Brendan Mac Cionnaith, spokes-
person for the Garvaghy Road residents are
members
It is socialist-republican and against the
Good Friday Agreement as more likely to rein-
force partition than get rid of it.
It is not planning an insurrection and there
is no armed wing in the undergrowth. It is not
a younger version of the Continuity IRA.
Will it be around in five years? Yes
Likes to march? Likes nothing bet-
ter (except maybe picketing)
Kevin Myers or Vincent Browne? VB
Will it take over? Jeez maybe
Electoral chances: limited
Tips: try to appear less sinis-
ter, lose some of the muscleheads
Fintan O’Toole
